ASSEMBLYMEMBER TED LIEU
53RD ASSEMBLY DISTRICT
For Immediate Release: April 22, 2008
Contact: Ashlie Simpson
Phone: (916) 319-2053

Lieu to Take Leadership Role in Greening of Capitol

Assemblyman Ted Lieu (D-Torrance) released the following statement regarding a plan from Assembly Speaker Fabian Nuñez to “green” the State Capitol building.  Speaker Nuñez announced an initiative that would seek to bring California’s most recognizable building up to Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) standards.

“Earlier today, Assembly Speaker Nuñez released his plan to bring California’s State Capitol in line with green technologies.  I would like to commend the Speaker for making the reduction of our carbon footprint a strong priority,” said Assemblymember Lieu.  “By increasing recycling, purchasing of environmentally friendly products and improving indoor air quality, along with reducing electricity and water consumption, we can turn a 140 year old building into a stellar example of how Californians can make a difference.”

As Chair of the Assembly Rules Committee, Assemblymember Lieu will be responsible for implementing this initiative.  Green buildings have been a passion of Assemblymember Lieu, who has authored three bills on green buildings, including AB 2030.  If signed into law, AB 2030 would require commercial buildings in California to go carbon neutral starting in 2030.

“In 2006, when California committed to environmental excellence by passing AB 32, we set a precedent for the nation and the world.  Now that we are taking on the task of greening the State Capitol, we are showing the nation that we mean business,” stated Assemblyman Lieu.  “This is a tremendous undertaking that I am looking forward to working on with the Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Senate, Speaker Núñez and Speaker-Elect Bass.”